Searching for a New Paradigm

Searching for a New Paradigm: A Cultural Anthropology Reader brings together articles that address the polemics surrounding what constitutes an authentic reality of the human experience. The selected readings provide a variety of perspectives on biological and evolutionary origins, culturally constructed notions of self and others, and the increasing knowledge that the perceived realities represented by theoretical models may not accurately reflect current notions of truth. The book combines issues of human rights with biology and culture while also exploring colonial historical agendas. This intersection of ideas allows for new insights into subjects that are often taught as separate aspects of anthropology. Specific topics include the hierarchy of nations, kinship, childhood and social hierarchies, violence in culture and society, and the geographical exploration of the world. Searching for a New Paradigm is well suited to undergraduate and graduate level courses in cultural anthropology and cultural dynamics. It can also serve as a supplemental reader for courses in sociology, history, and political science.